Final Portland Fossil Fuel Infrastructure Vote

On Wednesday, November 16, the Portland City Council took a big step towards passing new binding land use rules that will implement the City’s ban on new fossil fuel infrastructure. The City Council heard from hundreds of Portland residents who packed two hearings in a one-week span, urging the Council to adopt key amendments to the City’s fossil fuel zoning code ordinance. The amendments, which passed 3-0, prohibit expansion at existing fossil fuel terminals and bar fossil fuel companies from building new major terminals to handle oil, coal, and natural gas in the City of Portland.

The City heard testimony from students who eloquently explained the imminent importance of Portland’s action to protect a stable climate for future generations and set an example for other cities to follow. Portland also got a friendly assist from Mosier Mayor Arlene Burns, who attended to speak about the importance of protecting small communities from dangerous oil trains, and protecting all people from the worst impacts of the climate crisis.

Portland’s fossil fuel zoning code will receive a final vote from the City Council on Thursday, December 8, 2016, at 2:00 pm* (tentative time) at Portland City Hall, 1221 SW Fourth Street, Portland, OR. The hearing will likely occur in the afternoon. We hope to have one last crowd in red to support this historic vote.